How much water do you need to drink per day? The average person needs between four and six cups of water per day. It may surprise you to know that the amount of water a person needs is individualized.
A daily water intake of four to six cups is recommended for people who are generally healthy. However, the amount varies depending on other drinks and foods consumed. Other factors such as health conditions, medication, activity levels, and ambient temperatures can also influence the total amount of water consumed each day.
Many of us, particularly older adults, don’t drink enough water. You’ll learn how much water to drink each day to keep healthy.
Drinking water benefits
Every system in the human body functions properly with water. According to the Harvard Medical School Special Health Report 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating, water performs many important tasks.
- Bringing nutrients and oxygen into your cells
- Flushing bacteria from the bladder
- aiding digestion
- Constipation prevention
- normalizing blood pressure
- cushioning joints
- Protecting organs and tissues
- Regulating body temperature
- Maintaining electrolyte balance (sodium).
How many litres of water per day do you require?
On average, men and women need about 15.5 cups of water daily, while the average for healthy individuals is 11.5 cups. However, if you drink other liquids such as tea, coffee, fruit, vegetables, and juice, you may only need four to six glasses of water.
Other factors could lead to more plain water, including:
- Exercise level: Increase your water consumption if you are losing water due to sweating. Those who engage in prolonged physical activity, such as marathons, often need to replenish both their water and sodium loss.
- When the temperature outside soars, you should adjust your water levels. You may feel more thirsty in warmer temperatures.
- Health and medication: You can take too much water if your health is compromised by certain conditions such as thyroid problems, kidney, liver or heart issues, or if taking medications such as nonsteroidal pain relievers, opiates, or antidepressants.
- Age: Older adults don’t feel thirst as strongly as they used to. This could cause problems if the person is taking a diuretic or other medication that can cause fluid loss.
How to Calculate the Water Consumption per Day
You should consult your doctor to determine the appropriate amount of water for you.
Dehydration can occur if you do not drink enough water every day. Dehydration can be detected by urine with a dark yellow colour, fatigue, low blood pressure or dizziness.
Fluids to Keep You Hydrated
You don’t have to limit yourself to water when it comes to hydration. Water is found in all beverages. Some people even claim that milk is a good source of hydration.
It’s also a myth to think that drinking caffeinated drinks or alcohol-containing beverages dehydrates you because they cause you to urinate. These beverages do contain water, but they still contribute to the total fluid intake of the body.
Water is the best choice for many reasons. Sugary drinks may cause inflammation and weight gain, increasing your risk of developing diseases like diabetes. You may experience jitters from too much caffeine or have trouble sleeping. Alcohol consumption should be restricted to one drink a day for women and one to two drinks a day for men.
Tips for avoiding dehydration
Drink fluids slowly throughout the day to avoid dehydration. You can do this by drinking fluids at every meal, socializing, or taking medicine.
You can also get your fluids by eating foods that are high in water, like salads, fruits, and applesauce.
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